Effects of Cross Slopes and Varying Surface Characteristics on the Mobility of Manual Wheelchair Users

Cooper, Rory A.; Molinero, Ashli; Souza, Ana Paula Ramos de; Collins, Diane; Karmarkar, Amol; Teodorski, Emily; Sporner, Michelle L.

doi:10.1080/10400435.2012.659326

Cited by 11 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…In addition to the need to negotiate obstacles, rough surfaces may also lead to muscular strain for manually propelled wheelchairs and to discomfort through whole-body vibrations. 61,62 One US study investigated safe routes for disabled people but did not describe the nature of potential hazards. 63 US guidance suggests a maximum obstacle height of 12.5 mm (0.5 inches), this referring to a purposeful item such as a kerb rather than a defective surface.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Illuminance required to detect a pavement obstacle of critical size

Fotios

Uttley

2016

Lighting Research & Technology

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This paper investigates the illuminance needed to detect trip hazards for pedestrians walking after dark. In previous work, it was assumed that the critical obstacle height is 25 mm: further review of accident data and foot clearance data suggests instead that 10 mm is the critical height. Eye tracking records suggest a tendency for obstacles to be detected approximately 3.4 m ahead. Interpretation of obstacle detection data suggests horizontal photopic illuminances of up to 0.9 lux are required for peripheral detection of a 10 mm obstacle 3.4 m ahead, according to the scotopic/photopic ratio of the lighting and the age of the observer.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Illuminance required to detect a pavement obstacle of critical size

Fotios

Uttley

2016

Lighting Research & Technology

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“…The width, length, slope, and surface type factors have been used in [41], [18], and [51]. Additionally, inclement weather conditions may affect the traversability of sidewalk segment when applied to the slope and surface parameters of a sidewalk [53].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Weather condition ✓ traversability of sidewalk segment when applied to the slope and surface parameters of a sidewalk [53].…”

Section: Sidewalk Accessibility Factor Selectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Adaptive personalized routing for vulnerable road users

Darko

Folsom

Pugh

et al. 2022

IET Intelligent Trans Sys

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This research presents an adaptive and personalized routing model that enables individuals with mobility impairments to save their route preferences to a mobility assistant platform. The proactive approach based on anticipated user need accommodates vulnerable road users' personalized optimum dynamic routing rather than a reactive approach passively awaiting input. Most currently available trip planners target the general public's use of simpler route options prioritized based on static road characteristics. These static normative approaches are only satisfactory when conditions of intermediate intersections in the network are consistent, a constant rate of change occurs per each change of the segment condition, and the same fixed routes are valid every day regardless of the user preference. In this study, the vulnerable road user mobility problem is modeled by accommodating personalized preferences changing by time, sidewalk segment traversability, and the interaction between sidewalk factors and weather conditions for each segment contributing to a path choice. The developed reinforcement learning solution presents a lower average cost of personalized, accessible, and optimal path choices in various trip scenarios and superior to traditional shortest path algorithms (e.g., Dijkstra) with static and dynamic extensions.

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“…The next aspect to consider is the intrinsic limitations arising from being in a MWC. The first limitation stems from the medical condition that led to wheelchair use and the severity of the condition [27][28][29]. This results in a range of disabilities, from paraplegia (loss of lower body function) to tetraplegia (loss of arms, legs and torso function) with many associated secondary health problems [30].…”

Section: Intrinsic Challenges From Using a Manual Wheelchairmentioning

confidence: 99%

Improving the built environment for manual wheelchair users: A review

Flemmer¹

2022

IOP Conf. Ser.: Earth Environ. Sci.

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The aim of Universal Design is to make the built environment accessible to all people regardless of disability. This is a laudable aim, but most people are unaware of the many barriers manual wheelchair users actually face when accessing the built environment. The main challenges for manual wheelchair users arise from three areas. Firstly, there are intrinsic limitations arising from the manual wheelchair user’s condition and capability. Secondly, there are features such as ramps and cross slopes in the built environment that fail to comply with building codes relating to wheelchair access. Thirdly, there are cosmetic features such as cracked paths, obstructions and poorly placed signage that place an additional burden on manual wheelchair navigation. Each of these three areas is discussed in this article. The intrinsic limitations of user condition and capability include a wide range of physical impairments and an inherently inefficient manual wheelchair propulsion mechanism. The typical code compliance requirements for wheelchair access in the built environment range from limitations on minimum path widths to maximum permissible ramp slopes. However, even when these features comply with code requirements they may be compromised by temporary obstructions or by poor maintenance so that they become insurmountable challenges to manual wheelchair users. An understanding of these challenges is necessary to improve the built environment so that it is more accessible to manual wheelchair users in the future.

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Effects of Cross Slopes and Varying Surface Characteristics on the Mobility of Manual Wheelchair Users

Cited by 11 publications

References 7 publications

Illuminance required to detect a pavement obstacle of critical size

Illuminance required to detect a pavement obstacle of critical size

Adaptive personalized routing for vulnerable road users

Improving the built environment for manual wheelchair users: A review

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